Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Houston

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Bicycle accidents are a major cause of serious injuries and death to both adults and children in Houston and all over Texas. If you or a loved one have been hit by a car while cycling, you need competent, Houston bicycle accident lawyers working for you from the start. Since cyclists usually have every right to be in the main traffic lanes, they must follow the rules of the road like folks in motor vehicles. Likewise, drivers of cars must respect the rights of way of bike riders and owe a duty to avoid injury to them. Our lawyers at Michael P. Fleming & Associates, P.C. represent bike riders that have been hit by cars and trucks.

Proving liability under Texas law is the same as in car accidents. As in any negligence case, a bike injury claim is proven by showing a duty, breach of that duty, causation and resulting damages. Everybody has a duty of reasonable care in their interactions with other people. An example of this would be the duty to be one the lookout for cyclists and take care when passing them. Breach of the duty could be speeding or not paying attention when driving around a bike rider. Causation simply means that the breach of the duty of reasonable care caused the injuries or damages. For example, when a speeding motorist hits a cyclist and the accident would not have happened but for the speeding, negligence is proven. The injuries sustained by the rider would be the resulting damages.

What Should You Do After a Bicycle Accident?

Depending upon the severity, police are often not called after a cyclist is hit by a car. Therefore, in order to protect your right to compensation certain steps should be taken by you or somebody acting on your behalf. Specifically, you should:

1. Call the police. Even if you don’t call 911 and nothing is broken, you should notify the police if you are injured. They will create an accident report with the names and addresses of the driver and any witnesses. If the car driver was at fault, a citation will be issued. If the driver is intoxicated, they will be arrested.

2. Exchange information. Get the insurance and driver’s license information from the other party. It is also a good idea to take a picture of both items and of the license plate.

3. Take photos. Take pictures of:

The accident scene

Any skid marks

Damage to the car

Damage to your bike

Your injuries

4. Get medical care. Even if you don’t call an ambulance or go to the emergency room, you should always seek medical care if you are hurting. Refusing medical care when you are in an excited state is always a mistake. Especially in bicycle accident cases, significant injuries may not manifest until the next day or two. Delaying medical assistance because you are hoping the pain will subside can delay recovery and hurt your ability to seek compensation for your injuries. Insurance companies always claim that a delay in treatment is evidence that there were no injuries.

Lack of Protected Bike Lanes

Bike Lanes In Houston, Texas Help Protect Cyclists from Car Accidents

In many cities, there are no protected areas for cyclists to ride and they must use the main lanes of vehicle traffic. In fact, many cities require bicycles to be in the main traffic lanes. Some places have started using protected bike lanes such as the one shown in the photo at left. Even these are no guarantee of protection as some drivers either don’t know what the bike lanes are for or ignore the signs restricting them to bicycle traffic. Houston has begun installing bike lanes in the downtown area but this does not come close to covering the hundreds of miles of roadway used by cyclists in area every day. It seems that the only truly safe place for cyclists to ride in is in large parks such as Terry Hershey park. However, the increasing number of bicycle riders in Terry Hershey interferes with pedestrian traffic. The solution is probably dedicated, new, bike lanes that don’t reduce traffic lanes. It seems that these new, expensive, dedicated lanes that take up a whole lane of traffic do nothing to create a safe place for leisure bikers because they are in parts of town that are not conducive of an enjoyable riding experience. Just look at the dedicated lanes in downtown Houston on any given day – they are empty while automobile traffic in the remaining road lanes is worse.

What are the Dangers of Bike Wrecks?

The United States Centers of Disease Control reports that over nine hundred cyclists are killed and 500,000 severely injured every year in this country. While these numbers include those killed and injured NOT involving a motor vehicle, the measures that can easily be taken to escape injury and death are the same. It basically involves two things – the use of a helmet and riding on a safe terrain. Helmets are obviously common sense for children but adults can avoid serious injuries by also using the protective gear. In fact, the City municipal code Section 45-326 makes it illegal for anybody under the age of 18 to ride without a helmet and it is a crime for any parent to allow a child under the age of 14 to do so.

What are Common Causes of Biking Accidents?

Our bicycle accident attorneys in Houston have seen several types of bike accidents. Crashes with cars can be caused by many factors including:

Car Driver Distraction due to cell phone use, texting, or other reasons

A bicycle accident caused by a car driver or other reason can result in terrible injuries including:

Wrongful Death

Head Injuries

Broken Bones

Spinal Injuries

Catastrophic Injuries

Amputation Injuries

Broken Arms

Brain Injuries

Michael Fleming has participated in the MS 150 charity bike ride from Houston to Austin many times. He understands the dangers and needs of cyclists and as a board certified bicycle accident and car accident lawyer, he knows what has to be done to protect your rights after being hit by a car. Call him today for a free consultation.

“I recently retained Michael Fleming. He was very professional, courteous, and knowledgeable. Attorney Fleming advised me of the best course of action and he promptly executed all of the legal paperwork. I was extremely happy with everything he did. The communication was quick an he was always available to answer any questions. I will definitely use him again. I highly recommend Michael Fleming to anyone needing an attorney. When you need an attorney, experience matters and Fleming is very experienced.”

- Scott

Brilliant attorney with a wealth of experience

“Michael Fleming and his staff have been a tremendous help to me and my company. His experience and his network of associates have been extremely helpful in fulfilling my legal needs. Mr. Fleming’s counsel has always directed me to the best possible outcome. Mr. Fleming and his firm is always responsive and attentive to our needs and our questions. Brilliant attorney with a wealth of experience.”

- Jesse Valeriano

The very best representation available…

“My Wife and I were represented recently by Mr. Fleming and Associates for a personal injury case. I have had a previous case for a real estate transaction represented by Mr. Fleming that went to a Jury trial. I have been very satisfied with both cases. Fleming and his Associates are top notch Attorneys. I would recommend them to anyone who wants the very best representation available.”

- Jerry

* all ratings apply to Michael P. Fleming and are current as of this year

At our law firm our attorneys offer exceptional representation to those who have suffered serious injuries in all types of accidents. We have received some of the highest reviews and ratings of any Houston personal injury lawyer. One of the unique aspects of our law firm is that when you are a client you will be in direct contact with the lawyer handling your case. We strive to keep our clients involved and informed in the handling of their case so they know what to expect and when to expect it.